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Kavala, also known as Kavalla, Cavalla, Cavalle
Ancient name: Neapolis
Byzantine name: Christoupolis
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| location: |
Capital of the prefecture of Kavala, in the region of Macedonia, northeasten Greece; on the northern Aegean coast
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| population: |
63,774 (2001)
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| local time: |
Eastern European Time (EET)
Daylight Saving Schedule:
Summer (from last Sunday in March)
GMT/UTC +3 hours
Winter (from last Sunday in October)
GMT/UTC +2 hours
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| currency: |
Euro
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| climate: |
Mediterranean
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Situated on the Gulf of Kavala, across from the island of Thasos, Kavala is the main seaport of eastern Macedonia and the capital of Kavala prefecture.
If ever there was a place on the Mediterranean where the words "strategic location" spring to mind it's here in Kavala. The ancient core of the city is a rocky headland which rises dramatically above the Gulf of Kavala. From the acropolis on top of the rock its defenders could watch over the sea as far as Mount Athos to the west and the island of Thassos to the southeast. It also controlled the coastal road between Greece and Asia, along which Thracian, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Turkish, Greek, Bulgarian and German armies have successively trampled.
This mini Gibraltar, which is today the city's Panagia district, is flanked on both sides by bays which have acted as harbours for military, merchant and fishing vessels since antiquity. The hinterland produces a wide variety of agricultural riches, and the goldmines of nearby Mont Pangeo also contributed to the city's wealth. Today the wider bay to the west is the centre of modern Kavala which has spread along the coast and inland up the steep wooded hillside.
More details about Kavala's attractions will be appearing here soon. If you are interested in the city's history, there is a brief account on the next page. It is a broad sweep at a long and rich history. Of necessity, much has been left out, but I have tried to place the story of Kavala in the context of events in the region.
If you have any comments, suggestions or criticisms, I would be happy to hear from you.
To be continued... |
Text, maps and photos: © David John 2004 - 2010
map of Macedonia and the North Aegean
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Some of the information and photos in this guide to Greece originally appeared in 2004-2005 on davidjohnberlin.com.
page 2: history of Kavala >
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George Alvanos
furnished rooms
in Kavala's historic Panagia District
Anthemiou 35,
Kavala, Greece
+30 2510 221 781
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